Cancer cytogenetics

Definition: Chromosomal imbalances can range from alterations spanning entire chromosomes to intragenic duplications or deletions. Gains of genetic material are tumoral genomic gains. Losses of genetic material are tumoral genomic losses.
Unlike rearrangements, in which the genes that become deregulated and the functional consequences of the rearrangements can be readily identified through analysis of the breakpoint regions, most chromosomal imbalances have functional consequences that are (...)